I grew up in the world of Harry Potter, and this is how I like to think those intervening years went for Harry, Ron and Hermione. I of course do not own any of the characters or places. Rated M for the future. This is my first fan fiction. I don't know if its any good or if I should continue. Comments or reviews would be really appreciated

Set immediately after the bridge scene at the end of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

After having mended his wand and cast the fragments of the Elder wand over the edge, Harry Potter started back towards the castle. With his wand in his hand he felt better, but there was at least one other thing that he needed to do. Hermione followed behind hand entwined with Ron's who stumbled behind, his mouth agape over the decision Harry had just made.

Hermione knew what was going to happen and was looking forward to seeing the boy he lived start his life anew. Happy, with the young lady he loves.

"Harry" gasped Ron, "Slow down, what's the rush?"

"There is something I need to do" Replied Harry without slowing.

"Mate, what else on this earth do you need to do? Voldemort is dead, you did it mate"

"Wait Ron, you'll see soon enough" Hermione said to her boyfriend, "there is one last thing waiting for him.

As they walked amid the carnage of the battle, they were quiet, absorbed in their success, their survival and the devastation that surrounded them.

Little seemed important now. With their success, the aims of their lives had been fulfilled. Where too now?

They proceeded towards the hall. The Great Hall. Walls beaten by wayside spells and the dead scattered around amid clustering's of grieving friends and families it did not seem so great. Even the sky seemed to be conflicted between happiness over the worlds now beginnings and sadness over the death that surrounded them.

Stopping besides the great doors Harry turned, looking quizzically towards his two best friends.

"How should I do this? I don't want to be insensitive."

"Mate come with us, just put a hand on her shoulder, and let her know you're there."

Astonished, Hermione looked toward Ron nodding in agreement "Yes do that"

Placing a hand around her waist he walked slowly towards Fred's body, leaving Harry besides the door. Instead of immediately going to Ginny, he walked slowly towards the place where Remus and Tonks lay. The eyes of a number of the people around the room followed his movement. Concern etched across the face of them all. As he reached them he smiled. His usual light frown still etched across his face, hers with a look of contentment and their hands laid an inch apart. Knelling down Harry placed a hand on the chest of his father's last surviving friend.

Quietly he murmured "I did not want this to happen, thank you my friend, I'll look after Teddy, I promise".

Pulling his wand from his pocket, Harry conjured a single red rose. Unusually sentimental, he placed it across their hands. Joined in life, and linked in death.

Standing he walked towards the Weasley's. His eyes on the gorgeous, crying young women kneeling besides Fred's inanimate body. As he approached them Mr and Mrs Weasley turned pulling him into a tight, consoling hug.

"I'm sorry; I wish he didn't have to die for this"

"Don't fret my dear; he died fighting for something he believed in. You and the end of Voldemort" Stated Mrs Weasley.

"I agree with Molly, you can't take responsibility for this. But you did it my boy, well done. I'm proud of you."

Released, he turned and sagged slightly. Kneeling behind Ginny he place a hand on her shoulder. A tear crept down his face as he thought of Fred, laughing in death, his face light and happy with his last laugh caught across it. Minutes past, after a while Ginny sank back. Leaning against Harry as he enveloped her in his arms. Holding her, trying to shield her from the pain of her grief. Time passed slowly as they sat around Fred's body.

The number of people gradually thinning as bodies were removed from the Hall and taken to an antechamber.

The Weasley's left Harry and Ginny as they clung to each other whilst they moved Fred's body. Once Fred had been moved and the various family members had torn themselves from him, Mrs Weasley made her way towards the two bodies sitting together in the Hall.

Squatting in front of them they were coaxed upright, never letting each other go.

Concerned she said "Come dears, we need to get you both looked at. Harry are you feeling all right, some of those cuts seem pretty severe."

Needless to say he looked pretty traumatised. His jeans ruddied with soil and blood torn just like his shirt and jacket which were likewise stained with a mix of his blood and remnants of the not so distant battle.

Pain flared across his body, as stiff and tortured muscles were forced to function as he shuffled across the room. A hand never leaving Ginny's side.

Through the great doors and towards the Hospital bay Mrs Weasley lead the young pair. Concerned over the state of them both. When they arrived they moved over to the group of chairs and beds filled with other red heads. Seeing the state of Harry was worse than that of her other patients Madame Pomfrey bustled over.

"Christ young man, you look like you have been through the ringer. Sit down, that's it, just let her go for the moment. Okay, now help me get that jacket off will you. There's a good lad."

Gradually yielding to shock from the situation that they had just come through he sat quietly as Madame Pomfrey tended to his numerous wounds. Bandaging those that needed time and healing a great deal of those that were more minor.

"Thank you Madame Pomfrey" stated Harry as he was helped back onto his two feet. Life gradually started to flow into his body.

Slowly walking and checking everything was working, Harry realised that Ron and Hermione had been thoroughly bandaged as well. Still sitting together, their concern for each other and for him glowed in their eyes as they looked from each other to harry as he settled down besides them.

"So do we know what's going to happen to this place?" he asked,

"Well I personally think they are going to rebuild and they will have us coming in through the doors at the start of the new year" Hermione responded, "though to be sure we will have to wait until McGonagall has had her many meetings."

"I agree" said Ron, "but I don't think I'll be coming back. Mum won't like it but I think vie learnt enough from this old place and I think there are plenty of jobs that need to be done if we want them"

"Ron, you must come back this year, you to Harry" admonished a distraught Hermione, "we must finish our seventh year"

"I agree with Ron, I don't think I could come back if I wanted. There are too many loose ends to be tied up and a lot of really hard memories here. I suppose if Ginny comes back I'll be here to visit. But not as a student."

"Yes I'm sure the Aurors can find us some work, we can ask McGonagall if they are offering Newt substitutes for our year, in light of those circumstances" said Ron

"I don't think I'd want to come back without you. Okay, I'll stay with you. I really couldn't come back. I don't want to have to leave you for a minute" She said looking up at Ron before kissing him on the cheek.

Standing, Harry made his way over to Ginny, who sat in a chair whilst Madame Pomfrey ministered over her one wound, a long cut across her arm. As she was dealt with she stood quickly and turned to the battered body of the boy besides him. Concern etched over his face.

"I must say I'm glad that's the only wound you suffered." said Harry as he looking deep into her eyes. "I want to ask you something, you know I broke up with you so I could end this."

"Yes" she said quietly.

"I was terrified of what could happen to you if I didn't sort this out. If he found out how much I loved you. That year was the hardest of my life, in more ways than one. The further and longer I was gone from you the more it hurt. I'm sorry for the pain I left you in." suddenly aware of the eyes upon them both he became rather self conscious, but determined to continue, he finished "So Ginevra Weasley if you'll have me I would love to call you my girlfriend again. Ill love you for eternity."

A smile had crept into her face, she knew things were going to get better now. With as much pain as she had gone through waiting for him, as much pain as he had gone through fighting for her, there was no sweeter moment.

"Yes, and I love you too Harry"

Leaning forward Harry took her into his arms, grunting in the pain that surged through his body as she tightened her arms around him. Kissing the nape of her neck, he relaxed for the first time.

As they slowly released each other and turned to their audience they noticed tears welling in eyes of their family. Nobody deserved to find some happiness more than these two.